Yginio Salazar

Yginio Salazar (February 14, 1863 - January 7, 1936) was the youngest of the Lincoln County Regulators at the youthful age of 15.

Childhood

He grew up on the Hondo River, but his family eventually settled a few miles west of Lincoln. Yginio learned how to play the fiddle when he was little and was hired to play at a dance at Fort Stanton and was paid $50 for doing it. Also, Yginio became a skilled horseman and good with a rifle and pistol.

Lincoln County War and beyond

Yginio met Billy the Kid, and looked up to him as a role model. The only battle Yginio fought in during the Lincoln County War was the Five-Day Battle and was one of the fourteen Regulators inside the McSween house. When the Regulators had to flee the burning home, he was shot in the back and shoulder and pretended to be dead so he wouldn't be shot again. He crawled to his sister-in-law's house, a half-mile away from Lincoln, and was treated by the Fort Stanton doctor, Dan Appel. Yginio recovered and was one of the former Regulators that met with J. J. Dolan and his henchman in February 1879 to discuss peace. Yginio later became an honest rancher. After Billy the Kid escaped from jail in Lincoln, killing his two guards, he fled to Yginio's home, and Yginio cut off his shackles and fed him.

Later life

He continued to farm in Lincoln County until his death on January 7, 1936. He was buried alongside his wife in the Lincoln Cemetery and his headstone still reads "Pal of Billy the Kid." The Grave of Yginio Salazar story and photos on angelfire.com

References

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